Messianic Judaic theology is the study of YAHWEH, Elohim of Israel and the Holy Scriptures, from the viewpoint of Messianic Judaism. Messianic Judaism has been confused and misunderstood by most Christians and Judeans to be a form of Christianity. No — Messianic Judaism is not a form of Christianity. Rather, it is Christianity that is a form of Messianic Judaism, albeit a corrupt or apostate form of Messianic Judaism.

YAHWEH: Strict Monotheism

“Hear, O Israel: YAHWEH our Elohim, YAHWEH is one.” — Deuteronomy 6:4

We believe in YAHWEH Elohim Tzeba’ot, as that awesome and terrifying Elohim worshipped by Abraham, by Isaac and by Israel. We hold that YAHWEH is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient — that He created the heavens and the earth and all therein, and exists outside of His creation.

YAHWEH is infinitely merciful, compassionate and benevolent. We do not believe in the trinity. For us: “YAHWEH Elohenu, YAHWEH ekhad” — “YAHWEH our Elohim, YAHWEH is One.” We emphasize strict and absolute monotheism.

We do not replace His hallowed personal name YAHWEH with Adonai, HaShem, Lord, Jehovah, or God. YAHWEH is His personal name which must always be hallowed and never used in vain. The name “Jehovah” was invented by Christian scholars of Europe some 500 years ago and cannot be traced to any known human language, extant or extinct.

YAHUSHUA: The Authentic Messiah

We recognize YAHUSHUA of Nazareth as the promised Messiah (Mashiach) of Israel. We explicitly reject the name “Jesus” as a product of linguistic corruption and Hellenistic influence. YAHUSHUA, whose name means “YAHWEH is Salvation,” came in His Father’s name to redeem His people.

At Numbers 13:16 and Zechariah 6:11–13, we see the prophecy of His name given as YAHUSHUA, confirmed in the New Covenant at Matthew 1:21 and Luke 2:31. “Jesus/Yeshu” was fabricated by the unbelieving Rabbis of the first century to replace His name.

• He is the Word of YAHWEH made flesh, the express image of the Father’s glory. (Isaiah 9:6–7; Micah 5:2)
• He was conceived of the Spirit of YAHWEH Tzeba’ot in the womb of the virgin Miriam.
• He lived a perfect, Torah-observant life to serve as the unblemished Lamb.
• He was executed at Golgotha, died, was buried, rose from the dead, and ascended to sit at the right hand of YAHWEH Tzeba’ot.
• He is coming a second time in glory and power to judge the living and the dead. Halleluyah!

The Torah: The Eternal Law

The Torah (The Law) — the five books of Moses — remains fully in force as a holy covenant, to be observed both morally and ritually, by those who profess faith in YAHWEH Elohim. It is not a burden but a lamp unto our feet.

We believe that YAHUSHUA of Nazareth taught and re-affirmed the Law. Rather than abolishing it, He modified or reformed certain portions that had become obsolete. Grace does not nullify obedience; rather, true grace empowers the Believer to keep the commandments out of love and devotion.

Some of us therefore do not eat foods such as: shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters, clams, or pork. We keep the Biblical Shabbath, refraining from work every Saturday (the seventh day). By this practice, we prove that Messianic Judaism is indeed a Sect of Judaism.

Israel: The Chosen Identity

We emphasize that Israel was, still is, and will continue to be the Chosen People of YAHWEH Elohim, integral to His plans. We totally reject and oppose Replacement Theology.

We believe in the restoration of the “Lost Sheep of the House of Israel.” The covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is eternal. Those from the nations who join themselves to YAHWEH through YAHUSHUA become part of the Commonwealth of Israel, grafted into the olive tree, and are subject to the same laws and promises as the native-born.

“One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.” — Exodus 12:49

The Bible: Scriptural Continuity

Our Bible is made up of both the Old and New Covenants (Hey Tanakh wu Berit Khadashah). We view them as one seamless revelation. The New Covenant is not a replacement but a renewal — the writing of the Torah upon the hearts of the people through the Spirit.

Our versions use YAHWEH as the Creator’s hallowed personal name — not “Lord,” “Jehovah,” or “God.” Our New Covenant uses YAHUSHUA — not “Jesus” — from Matthew through Revelation.

We are open to criticism of the established Old Covenant canon, because divinely inspired books such as Enoch, Jasher, Jubilees, the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs, Tobit, and Second Esdras were deliberately excluded. We believe these are the sure and true words of YAHWEH.

Oral Law

We do not accept the idea of the “Oral Law or Torah” — the Talmud and the Mishneh. Neither do we accept the authority of the Midrash or the Halakha. The Talmud, the Mishneh, the Midrash, the Halakha, the Gemara, the Kabbalah and all such extra-Scriptural volumes do not carry equal reverence with the Holy Bible.

We uphold that if a Believer keeps the commandments of YAHWEH Elohim and professes faith in YAHUSHUA of Nazareth — without abiding by the dictates of the Talmud or Mishneh — he has made the kingdom of YAHWEH.

Sin

We uphold that sin is speaking, acting or living contrary to the moral and natural Commandments/Instructions of YAHWEH Elohim, as He revealed to mankind through Prophet Moses on Mt. Sinai. Each and every transgression of the Laws/Commandments of YAHWEH is sin.

Atonement

By His death at Golgotha, YAHUSHUA of Nazareth has once and forever atoned for that original sin which brought the punishment of death to all mankind through Adam. There is no value or effect for any other sacrifice to serve as atonement for the sin of Adam.

One can atone for personal sins by turning to YAHUSHUA of Nazareth and confessing sins in earnest repentance, seeking forgiveness/pardon from YAHWEH through YAHUSHUA of Nazareth — the High Priest of the New Covenant.

“If anyone believes in YAHUSHUA of Nazareth, and turns to Him in true repentance for the forgiveness of his sins, he will receive eternal life. But whoever does not believe in His name and go to Him for forgiveness, stands and remains condemned now and in the world to come.” — John 3:18

Faith and Works

We believe that faith and works are twin virtues. We uphold that faith in YAHWEH through YAHUSHUA of Nazareth, together with righteous works, must simultaneously be manifested to fully carry out the will of the Holy Father, YAHWEH Elohim. Faith without works is dead. (James 2:20)

Who is a Believer?

A Believer is any man who believes in and accepts YAHUSHUA of Nazareth as the long promised and expected Israeli Messiah and Saviour of the world.

An Israeli who practices Orthodox Judaism but believes in YAHUSHUA of Nazareth as the Messiah is a Messianic Believer. A Foreigner who comes to believe in YAHUSHUA of Nazareth as the Messiah is also a Messianic Believer.

True Believers, be they Israelis or Foreigners, are those who keep the commandments of YAHWEH and believe in YAHUSHUA of Nazareth as Messiah and Saviour. (Rev. 13:10; 14:12)

Body of the Messiah

The total collection of Believers, of both Israelis and Foreigners worldwide, make up the Body of the Messiah — Qehelah Hey Meshiakh in Hebrew or the Ekklesia in Greek. This body is also described as the Israel of YAHWEH.

It is only in Messianic Judaism that YAHUSHUA of Nazareth broke down the fence separating Judean from Gentile, making it possible for Gentiles to be engrafted unto the Israel of YAHWEH.

The Ten Commandments

We uphold and promote the Ten Commandments written on two stone tablets by YAHWEH Elohim Himself and given to man on Mt. Sinai. They remain in full force today:

1. “I am YAHWEH your Elohim… you shall worship no other gods apart from me.”
2. “You shall not make for yourself a graven image… you shall not bow down to them or serve them.”
3. “You shall not take the name YAHWEH your Elohim in vain.”
4. “Remember the Shabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour… but the seventh day is a Shabbath to YAHWEH your Elohim; in it you shall not do any work.”
5. “Honour your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land which YAHWEH your Elohim gives you.”
6. “You shall not murder.”
7. “You shall not commit adultery.”
8. “You shall not steal.”
9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.”
10. “You shall not covet your neighbour’s house… nor anything that is your neighbour’s.”

Worship

We worship YAHWEH exclusively and alone. We do not worship His son, YAHUSHUA of Nazareth, since he himself directed worship toward the Father. We pray to the Father YAHWEH Elohim through the name of His Son, YAHUSHUA of Nazareth.

We do not bow down to any images or statues. We do not practice the veneration of saints or any form of icon worship. We believe the Shabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) is the only correct and proper day of rest and worship. Sunday is the first day of the week — a working day — not the Shabbath of YAHWEH.

Baptism

We baptize adults by immersion (full and complete immersion of the entire body in water) in the name of YAHUSHUA of Nazareth. We do not baptize infants or children who have not reached the age of accountability. Baptism is a personal covenant act performed after repentance and confession of faith in YAHUSHUA of Nazareth.

Baptism by sprinkling, pouring, or in the name of the Trinity (“Father, Son and Holy Spirit”) is not accepted as scripturally valid baptism.

The Canon of Scripture

We accept the entire 66 books of the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of YAHWEH, and additionally include the following apocryphal and pseudepigraphical writings as authoritative: The Book of Enoch, The Book of Jasher, The Book of Jubilees, The Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs, The Book of Tobit, and Second Esdras.

We reject the Deuterocanonical books of the Roman Catholic Vulgate, the New Testament Apocrypha, and any Gnostic writings as uninspired additions to the canon.